History of Bentheim Castle

The origins of Castle Bentheim cannot be documented on the basis of historical sources. Bentheim received a first early mention in the year 1020, when Count Otto of Northeim was cited as owner of the Castle at the time he married Richenza, the daughter of the Count of Werl. The Counts of Werl were one of the most influential dynasties in Westphalia.

This was the time of the investiture struggle, when many of the Westphalian lords stood on the side of Pope Gregory VII, and thus, in opposition to Emperor Heinrich IV. Otto of Northeim was one of the highest-ranking Saxon aristocrats, whom Empress Agnes invested with the Duchy of Bavaria as a fief in 1061. However, together with other powerful lords of the Empire, he soon joined forces against Agnes and her son, Heinrich IV. Together with Archbishop Anno of Cologne and Adalbert of Bremen, he was one of the most formidable opponents of Emperor Heinrich IV.